When I found out I was going to be the assistant conductor for Moby-Dick, I knew it meant that I was going to have to read the book. My attitude about that prospect was probably very much like yours. Sigh. But the choice was unflinching: Either I'm going to read Moby-Dick now, when I have every possible motivation and sufficient time, or I'm just never going to read it. Short of actually going on an extreme whaling vacation, I couldn't think of a more obvious circumstance to do something that I've long said I wanted to do. I'm happy I read it, and it made me feel more prepared, but it was unnecessary. Heggie's Moby-Dick does not need a primer to appreciate it, to explain it or even to fill in the blanks, it stands on its own as a thrilling and genuinely dramatic modern opera. But let's back up.

On Thursday, September 27th, students from the School of Fashion at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco had a unique and inspiring opportunity to go see the final dress rehearsal for The Capulets and the Montagues at the War Memorial Opera House. The tragic Shakespeare play has such iconic characters but this production was something completely new and like nothing I had ever seen, including the stunning costumes by world-renowned fashion designer Christian Lacroix.

Our production of Rigoletto was created back in 1997 by Michael Yeargan with costumes designed by Constance Hoffman. The costumes along with the sets are rich with color and drama, yet they also allude to the dark and sinister underbelly of the court.

Stage moms and Glee teeny-boppers take note: we're on the lookout for young performers between the ages of 9-21 for our upcoming production of The Secret Garden. No, not that Secret Garden but a NEW world-premiere operatic version with music by Bay-Area teamed composer (and architect of the Music Genome Project aka Pandora) Nolan Gasser and librettist Carey Harrison.

There was a palpable energy in the War Memorial Opera House air in the months leading up to The Magic Flute premiere on June 13. None of us could wait to see this new production full of bold, colorful scenery and costumes by internationally acclaimed artist Jun Kaneko. When Jun and his wife Ree visited San Francisco Opera's Props department and Costume Shop in March, it was the first time they saw Jun's sketches come to life.

Introduction

Backstage at San Francisco Opera is a fascinating, fast-moving, mysterious and sacred space for the Company’s singers, musicians, dancers, technicians and production crews. Musical and staging rehearsals are on-going, scenery is loaded in and taken out, lighting cues are set, costumes and wigs are moved around and everything is made ready to receive the audience. From the principal singers, chorus and orchestra musicians to the creative teams for each opera, in addition to the many talented folks who don’t take a bow on stage, this blog offers unique insight, both thought-provoking and light-hearted, into the life backstage at San Francisco Opera.